Who’s To Blame?

I have faced one challenge after another lately, a time of major change in our son’s life, all the while looking to the Lord for direction and comfort. It would be easy to ask Him, “Why, Lord?” Ray takes it all in stride, and we keep moving ahead and face each moment, every day.

That could be said for anyone who knows Jesus as Savior. I’ve prayed a few times, “What’s the point of this, Lord?” The Lord doesn’t owe me an explanation, and once in a great while I have begun to see what He might be doing. The first two chapters of the book of Job bring insight, especially when illuminated by good commentary by biblical scholars [1]. Satan the accuser was trying to discredit God by attacking His godly servant, Job. In verse 8 of chapter 1, God said to the accuser, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Satan challenges God saying, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has?” Verse 1:9.

Thus, Job’s tests began with the loss of his oxen and donkeys, sheep and camels plus servants caring for them. Worse yet, his sons and daughters were killed by the collapse of the house where they were feasting and drinking wine together. Job shares his remorse saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” V 1:21. Test passed!

For test 2, Satan pointed out that Job had losses, but his own body was not harmed. “But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” V 2:5. And more troubles came for Job, this time health related. Once again, he refused to curse God. Test 2 passed!

I have wrestled with these chapters, thinking of the medical challenges our son has faced since birth. The commentary notes and cross-referenced verses helped me understand that Satan is doing all he can to discredit God through Job. One note said, “The author of Job… gave encouragement to godly sufferers by showing them that their suffering provided an occasion like no other for exemplifying what true godliness is for human beings.” Satan is bent on “driving an irremovable wedge between God and humans to effect an alienation that cannot be reconciled.” The following comments encouraged me: “The author’s pastoral word to godly sufferers is that God treasures their righteousness above all else.” We are called to continue “to trust in, acknowledge, serve, and submit to the omniscient, omnipotent Sovereign, realizing that some suffering is the result of unseen, spiritual conflicts between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan—between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness.”

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[1] Zondervan NIV Study Bible